When imagining unethical methods people frequently use to make money, it's easy for the mind to leap to a number of sordid and illegal means. The pursuit of wealth has historically demonstrated a persistent way of corrupting the moral compass.
But personal finance bestselling author and radio host Dave Ramsey suggests an even higher standard for principled financial behavior that involves more than just avoiding illicit practices when seeking to improve one's finances.
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Temptations for investors often involve the use of company information they may discover that is not available to the general public. If they use this knowledge to buy or sell stocks, it is called insider trading and could land the investor in trouble with the law.
Ponzi schemes are other nefarious methods people sometimes employ to make money in the short term. These involve purposefully tricking people into making financial investments in plots that promise high returns, but simply use newer investors' money to pay the earlier investors. The schemes quickly run out of viable ways to sustain momentum, and people end up losing their money.
Other people resort to simpler illegal methods to make seemingly easy money, such as stealing or selling illegal products such as drugs.
For some, however, there is a much finer and more complex line regarding unethical behavior than the one these blatantly illegal examples illustrate.
Ethical standards and personal expectations vary widely among individuals, and Dave Ramsey has explored one such struggle a person seeking his advice asked him about.
Dave Ramsey offers his thoughts on one worker's money dilemma
A woman recently corresponded with Ramsey in an effort to ask for his thoughts about a job for which she was considering applying — but she wasn't entirely comfortable with the requirements of the position.
"Dear Dave," wrote a woman identifying herself as Gracelyn, according to an email forwarded to TheStreet from Ramsey Solutions. "In your opinion, what are healthy boundaries when it comes to finding a job if the type of work doesn’t align with your beliefs?"
"I live near a casino, where there are several job openings that pay well," she continued. "However, I believe gambling is wrong. I don’t gamble, and neither does anyone in my family. I would really appreciate your thoughts on the situation."
The dilemma Gracelyn was encountering here involved the fact she, like anyone else, needs a job that pays good money to make a living. But a conflict seemed to be present about the type of work she was willing to take from a moral point of view.
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"Work is a big part of life," Ramsey wrote. "And that means it’s a big part of what you spend your time doing for many years. So, I think people should make a living doing something that is consistent with values and beliefs."
"In my mind, needing a job does not offset that," Ramsey continued. "Otherwise, it would be okay to be a drug dealer, or any number of other illegal, immoral and unethical things that can provide an income."
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Dave Ramsey recommends a course of action regarding taking the casino job
Ramsey offers his blunt thoughts on casino work as it pertains to this one individual's predicament.
"Here's my opinion," he wrote. "If you don’t agree with gambling on a moral basis, then you shouldn’t work in a gaming establishment."
Ramsey suggested a comparison to other behaviors regarding situations where a person might be required to perform functions at a job with which they may be ethically conflicted.
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"If you think drinking alcohol is wrong or sinful, then you probably shouldn’t work in a brewery or distillery," Ramsey wrote. "See where I’m going with this? Personally, I don’t like gambling, either. I think it’s a tax on people who can’t do math and poor people."
Ramsey finished his reply with an encouraging thought.
"There are other jobs that pay well out there, Gracelyn," he wrote. "But to be at peace with yourself, you’ve got to do something that’s consistent with your own personal value system and principles."
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